Tri-Cities District
GUIDELINES FOR SMALL-SIDED SOCCER
Updated November 2012
GUIDELINES FOR MINI-SOCCER
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Field size guidelines are as follows:
Age Group
Under 8
Under 9
Under 10
Under 11/12
Min Width
30 Meters
30 Meters
30 Meters
42 Meters
Max Width
35 Meters
36 Meters
36 Meters
55 Meters
Min Length
40 Meters
40 Meters
40 Meters
60 Meters
Max Length
45 Meters
55 Meters
55 Meters
75 Meters
Goal size guidelines are as follows:
Age Group
Goal Length
Goal Height
Under 8
12 feet / 2.438
6 feet / 1.83
Under 9/10
12 feet / 2.438
6 feet / 1.83
Under 11/12
18 feet / 5.486
6 feet / 1.83
Ball sizes must conform to the table as set of below:
Age Group
Ball Size
Under 8
3
Under 9 Under 10
4
4
Option
Anything Smaller
None
None
Under 11/12
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The duration of the games must conform to the table as set out below:
Age Group
Duration
Half Time
Under 8
2 x 25 Minutes
5 Minutes
Under 9/10
2 x 25 Minutes
5 Minutes
Under 11/12
2 x 30 Minutes
5 Minutes
Number of players must conform to the table as set below:
Age Group
Under 8
Under 9/10
Under 11/12
Game Format 6 v 6 Including 7 v 7 Including 8 v 8 Including
Goalkeeper
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Goalkeeper
Goalkeeper
**In Addition to the FIFA Laws of the Game below, the
additional guidelines set out by the Tri-City District should also
be followed:
Under 8 Division
Coaches on Field
One coach is allowed on the field per team until Christmas Break. Beginning in January,
no coaches should be on the field.
Goalkeeping Instruction
One designated person can be behind the net assisting the goalie. The purpose of this
parent/coach is to assist the goalie only. They should not be coaching the team.
Teams & Parents during the Game
When at all possible, teams should be on one side of the field with parents on the other
side. If teams are on the same side, coaches should only coach from their own half of the
field. They should not cross in front of the opposing team bench.
Goalkeeper Possession
When there is a goal-kick and/or the when the goalie has the ball in their hands, the
attacking team must back up to the half-way line.
Under 9 & Under 10 Division
Goalkeeping Instruction
One designated person can be behind the net assisting the goalie. The purpose of this
parent/coach is to assist the goalie only. They should not be coaching the team.
Teams & Parents during Game
When at all possible, teams should be on one side of the field with parents on the other
side. If teams are on the same side, coaches should only coach from their own half of the
field. They should not cross in front of the opposing bench.
Goalkeeper Possession
When there is a goal-kick and/or the when the goalie has the ball in their hands, the
attacking team must back up to the half-way line.
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Under 11 & Under 12 Division
Teams & Parents during the Game
When at all possible, teams should be on one side of the field with parents on the other
side. If teams are on the same side, coaches should only coach from their own half of the
field. They should not cross in front of the opposing bench.
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**The following playing rules are BCSA recommended
modifications to the FIFA Laws of the Game. Please note the
charts at the top of the document where the Tri-City Clubs have
agreed to comply with the same standards.
Under 8 Playing Rules
Law 1 – Field of Play: (See chart above)
Field Markings:
Distinctive lines not more than fifteen (15) centimeters wide. The field of play is
divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the
midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of five (5) meters is marked
around it.
The Corner Arc:
None
Law 2 – The Ball:
The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation
specifications.
Size three (3) are to be used.
Law 3 – Number of Players: (See chart above)
Substitutions:
At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done with the officials’
permission.
Playing time:
All players SHALL play equal playing time.
Law 4 – The Players Equipment:
Conform to FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but
uniforms must still distinguish teams. The goalkeeper should wear a colour that
distinguishes him/her from both teams. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn
under the socks. Jewelry is not permitted.
Law 5 – The Referee:
A Class 5 referee or nominated person may be used. The referee’s role is to keep players
safe and ensure that the game is played under the “fair play” code. A Class 5 or higher
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official can send a team official from the field if they fail to conduct themselves in a
responsible manner.
Law 6 – The Assistant Referees:
None required, the referee or nominated person decides as to which team the throw in is
awarded to.
Law 7 – Duration of Match: (See chart above)
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play:
Conform to FIFA, with the exception of the opponents of the team taking the kick-off are
at least five (5) meters from the ball until it is in play. Dropped balls are not part of Small
Sided Games Program at this age group and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the
team who had possession when the play was stopped.
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play:
Conform to FIFA.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring:
Conform to FIFA.
Law 11 – Offside:
None
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that all fouls shall result in an indirect free kick. The
referee or nominated person must explain ALL infringements to the offending player. No
cards are shown for misconduct. An indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at
the center spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air
from his/her goal area into the opponents goal area. If a player intentionally strikes,
deliberately kicks or spits at an opponent, this player must be substituted and will not be
permitted to participate further during the game. The coach should inform the player as to
why and correct these actions.
Law 13 – Free Kicks:
Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that all kicks are indirect and all opponents are at
least five (5) meters from the ball until it is in play.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick:
None
Law 15 – The Throw-In:
Conform to FIFA.
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Law 16 – The Goal Kick:
At U-8, the Tri-Cities League has agreed to have the opposing team move to the half-way
line on all goal kicks.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least five (5) meters from
the ball until it is in play. Unlike FIFA a goal cannot be scored directly from a corner
kick.
Under 9 & Under 10 Playing Rules
Law 1 – The Field of Play (See Chart Above)
Field Markings:
Distinctive lines not more than fifteen (15) centimeters wide. The field of play is
divided into two halves by a halfway line. The center mark is indicated at the
midpoint of the halfway line. A circle with a radius of eight (8) meters is marked
around it.
The Goal Area:
A goal area is defined at each end of the field as follows: Two lines are drawn at
right angles to the goal line, ten (10) meters from the inside of each goalpost.
These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of ten (10) meters and are
joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The area bounded by these lines
and the goal line is the goal area.
The Penalty Area:
None
Flag posts:
None
The Corner Arc:
None
Goals Posts:
Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line and measure 3.657 x 1.981
meters or 12 feet wide and 6.5 feet high.
Law 2 – The Ball:
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The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation
specifications.
Size four (4) balls are to be used.
Law 3 – The Number of Players:
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than six/seven players, one
of whom is the goalkeeper. Players will take equal turns to play in all field positions
including the goalkeeper position that must be rotated at half time. It is not necessary that
all players play in the goalkeeper position during a single game. A match may not start if
either team consists of fewer than five players one of whom is the goalkeeper.
Substitutions: At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done
with the officials’ permission.
Playing time: All players SHALL play equal playing time.
Law 4 – The Players Equipment:
Conform to FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but
uniforms must still distinguish teams. The goalkeeper should wear a colour that
distinguishes him/her from both teams. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn
under the socks. Jewelry is not permitted.
Law 5 – The Referee:
A Class 5 referee or nominated person may be used. The referee’s role is to keep players
safe and ensure that the game is played under the “fair play” code. A Class 5 or higher
official can send a team official from the field if they fail to conduct themselves in a
responsible manner.
Law 6 – The Assistant Referees:
None, the referee or nominated person decides as to which team the throw in is awarded
to.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match:
The match will be divided into two (2) equal halves of twenty five (25) minutes each.
There shall be a half-time interval of five (5) minutes.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play: Conform to FIFA with the exception of the
opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at least eight (8) meters from the ball until it
is in play. Dropped balls are not part of Small Sided Games Program at this age group
and an indirect free kick will be awarded to the team who had possession when the play
was stopped.
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play:
Conform to FIFA.
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Law 10 – The Method of Scoring:
Conform to FIFA.
Law 11 – Offside
None
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that all fouls shall result in an indirect free kick. An
indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing team at the center spot on the halfway line if
a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in the air from his/her goal area into the
opponents goal area. No cards shown for misconduct. If a player intentionally strikes,
deliberately kicks or spits at an opponent, this player must be substituted and will not be
permitted to participate further during the game. The coach should inform the player as to
why and correct these actions.
Law 13 – Free Kicks:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that all free kicks are indirect. All opponents are at
least eight (8) meters from the ball.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick:
None
Law 15 – The Throw-In:
Conform to FIFA.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick:
At U-9 & U-10 Divisions, the Tri-Cities League has agreed to have the opposing team
move to the half-way line on all goal kicks.
Unlike FIFA goal cannot be scored directly from a goal kick.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least eight (8) meters from
the ball until it is in play.
Unlike FIFA a goal cannot be scored directly from a corner kick.
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Under 11 & Under 12 Playing Rules
Law 1 – The Field of Play: (See Chart Above)
Field Markings:
Distinctive lines not more than fifteen (15) centimeters wide. The field of play is
divided into thirds and by a center spot that indicates a center spot that is located
at the midpoint.
A circle with a radius of nine (9) meters may, but not mandatory be marked
around it. An offside line parallel to the center line should be marked from touch
line to touch line at the attacking third mark.
NB: All field markings may be marked by the means of cones and/or painted
lines.
Goal Area:
None
The Penalty Area:
A penalty area is defined at each end of the field as follows:
Two lines are drawn at right angles to the goal line, eleven (11) meters from the
inside of each goalpost. These lines extend into the field of play for a distance of
eleven (11) meters and are joined by a line drawn parallel with the goal line. The
area bounded by these lines and the goal line is the penalty area. Within each
penalty area a penalty mark is made nine (9) meters from the midpoint between
the goalposts and equidistant to them.
Flag posts:
Conform to FIFA if used, they however are not mandatory
The Corner Arc:
Conform to FIFA if marked, they however are not mandatory
Goals Posts:
Goals must be placed on the center of each goal line and measure 5.486 x 1.981
meters - 18 feet wide and 6.5 feet high.
Law 2 – The Ball:
The ball must conform to FIFA standards and must conform to the FIFA inflation
specifications. Size four (4) are to be used.
Law 3 – The Number of Players:
A match is played by two teams, each consisting of not more than eight (8) players, one
of whom is the goalkeeper. A match may not start if either team consists of fewer than
seven players one of whom is the goalkeeper. All players shall play equal playing time.
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Substitutions: At any stoppage, substitutions are unlimited and must be done
with the officials’ permission.
Law 4 – The Players Equipment:
Conform to FIFA. Non-uniform clothing is allowed based on weather conditions, but
uniforms must still distinguish teams. The goalkeeper should wear a colour that
distinguishes him/her from both teams. Shin guards are mandatory and must be worn
under the socks. Jewelry is not permitted.
Law 5 – The Referee:
A Class 5 or higher official must be used. The referee’s role is to keep players safe and
ensure that the game is played under the “fair play” code. A Class 5 or higher official can
send a team official from the field if they fail to conduct themselves in a responsible
manner.
Law 6 – The Assistant Referee:
The AR will be a nominated person whose only role is to indicate the whole ball out of
play. No offsides to be judged by volunteers running a line.
Law 7 – The Duration of the Match:
The match will be divided into two (2) halves of thirty (30) minutes each. There shall be
a half-time interval of five (5) minutes.
Law 8 – The Start and Restart of Play:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents of the team taking the kick-off are at
least nine (9) meters from the ball until it is in play.
Law 9 – The Ball In and Out of Play:
Conform to FIFA.
Law 10 – The Method of Scoring:
Conform to FIFA.
Law 11 – Offside:
Conform to FIFA with the exception of only occurring in the attacking third.
Law 12 – Fouls and Misconduct:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that an indirect free kick is awarded to the opposing
team at the center spot on the halfway line if a goalkeeper punts or drop-kicks the ball in
the air from his/her penalty area into the opponents penalty area. Cautionary and
expulsion cards are used.
Law 13 – Free Kicks:
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Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents are at least nine (9) meters from the
ball. An indirect kick awarded to the attacking team that occurs inside the penalty area,
shall be taken from the outside edge of the penalty area in line where the offense took
place. Direct Free Kicks are in effect at these age groups.
Law 14 – The Penalty Kick:
Conform to FIFA with the exceptions that the penalty mark is marked at nine (9) meters
from the goal line. All players except the player taking the kick must be nine (9) meters
from the ball.
Law 15 – The Throw-In:
Conform to FIFA.
Law 16 – The Goal Kick:
Conform to FIFA except that it shall be taken from anywhere within the penalty area.
Opponents must remain at least nine (9) meters away from the ball until it is in play.
Law 17 – The Corner Kick:
Conform to FIFA with the exception that opponents remain at least nine (9) meters away
from the ball until it is in play.
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